IBL: Shuttlers have no complaints about non-ac stadium

Bangalore: While the World Championship final was marred due to problems with air-conditioning, shuttlers in the Indian Badminton League (IBL) are having no such issues at the non-air conditioned Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, thanks to the cool Bangalore weather.

In fact World No.1 Lee Chong Wei, who had to retire with cramps during the World Championship final against Chinese legend Lin Dan, said air-conditioning was not a problem here.

"It was not a problem," the Malaysian, who plays for Mumbai Masters, said while leaving the stadium after their 2-3 loss against the Awadhe Warriors here Saturday night.

Malaysian coach Tey Seu Bock had lashed out at the World Championship organisers in Guangzhou, China, and blamed them for switching off the air-conditioning in the second game.

Seu Bock, who is also the Mumbai Masters coach, had said that switching off the air-conditioning system led to Chong Wei`s cramps and breathing trouble.

The Kanteerava Stadium is the only IBL venue without air-conditioning, which is now a must for all international events. The stadium got ready just in time for the tie between Mumbai Masters and Awadhe Warriors.

"Not having air-conditioning was not a problem at all. It was just fine," Danish great and Mumbai Masters shuttler Tine Baun said on Sunday.

Warriors icon player and World Championships bronze medallist P.V. Sindhu said as long as a player is not having an advantage, it is fine.

"The match was fine under the circumstances. The weather here is cool. Plus the advantage or disadvantage of not having the air-conditioning is for both the shuttlers playing the match, not just for one. So it did not really matter," Sindhu, who beat Tine, said on Sunday.

Krrish Delhi Smashers, who take on the Banga Beats in a crucial tie Sunday evening, also seemed unperturbed by not having an air-conditioning in the stadium.

Such was the effect of Bangalore`s weather that Delhi`s icon player Jwala Gutta was surprised to know that there was no air-conditioning in the stadium.

"Oh there is no AC?! I had a feeling we did. But it is Bangalore and the weather is nice. I don`t really think the ac is required," Jwala said after her practice session.

Her team mates and men`s singles players H.S. Prannoy and B. Sai Praneeth echoed similar sentiments.

"I don`t think I have had any problem... The temperature here is cool. On the other hand, the shuttles are fast so without the drift, they will come by their natural speed," Prannoy said.

World No.37 Sai Praneeth said they are used to playing in hot and humid condition.

"We anyway practice without the air condition wherever we go so I don`t think we will have any problems. Without the drift, we can have some real action," Sai said.